Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program
Prepare to diagnose, manage and treat people aged 13 and up with acute, complex and rapidly changing conditions across high-acuity healthcare settings.
Become an AGACNP through one of the following on-campus degree programs
Choose the option that best aligns with your education and career goals. Applicants must have at least one year of full-time RN experience in an adult acute care setting. Experience preferably in an intensive care unit or other high-acuity environment, prior to applying to the program. View each degree page for admission requirements and application details.
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Study Option
BSN to DNP
BSN to PhD
What is an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner?
These advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) specialize in the treatment of serious illnesses and the management of complex, rapidly changing health conditions in adolescent, adult and older adult populations. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP) assess, diagnose and manage unstable clinical situations, coordinate complex treatment plans and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care in high-acuity environments. Patients require advanced monitoring and intervention, timely clinical decision-making and ongoing management of evolving health needs.
At Ohio State, you’ll prepare for advanced practice within one of the nation’s leading academic health science centers, learn from expert faculty, train in advanced simulation environments, and complete clinical experiences that prepare you for the realities of acute and critical care practice.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Assess, diagnose and manage acute and complex health conditions using evidence-based care
- Build therapeutic, patient- and family-centered relationships that support shared decision-making
- Educate and coach patients and families on conditions, treatments and self-management
- Demonstrate professional accountability in advanced practice nursing
- Coordinate care across complex healthcare systems and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams
- Deliver equitable, culturally responsive care to diverse adult and older adult populations
Graduates are eligible for national board certification through:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- AACN Certification Corporation
Build advanced clinical knowledge through focused coursework and supervised practicum experiences.
As a student, you will:
- Apply skills in real-world clinical settings
- Train under the guidance of expert preceptors
- Complete clinical experiences at approved sites across Ohio
- Spend 16-20 hours per week in clinical practice during practicum courses
The curriculum meets national standards set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.
Courses include:
- Nursing 7410 Advanced Health Assessment
- Nursing 7450 Pathophysiology of Altered Health States
- Nursing 7470 Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing
- Nursing 7415 Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods
- Nursing 7208.01 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
- Nursing 7208.02 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
- Nursing 7208.03 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
- Nursing 8895 Professional Role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FAQ
No, the AGACNP program is offered on-campus only.
The primary difference is in the type of care they provide. Acute care nurse practitioners stabilize patients with severe or critical or life-threatening conditions and focus on short-term care. Primary care nurse practitioners manage long-term health from a holistic perspective, screen for diseases, provide well care and help patients manage chronic conditions.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners work in a variety of settings including but not limited to:
- Hospitals
- Intensive care units (ICUs)
- Emergency departments
- Step-down and specialty units
- Urgent care centers